What most masons will never know is that there is one other degree even higher than the 33rd, which is the 33rd and 1/2. The token of this degree is a badge that is only granted to the Fraternal Order of the Sacred Cowbell.

The ritual of the ritualistic rite consists of the Order dressed in black robes with white spots chanting Blue Oyster Cult lyrics backwards while beating on cowbells.

The dramatic induction ceremonies developed for the "Order of the Arrow", as the fledgling honor society was soon dubbed, indeed proved to have a strong influence on scouts. Even today, these rites make a lasting impression on those who have been elected to the "Order of the Arrow".

As the OA continued to develop in the early years, others further embellished the ceremonies with characters from James Fenimore Cooper's "Last of the Mohicans", along with the addition of some Masonic-like rituals. A similarity between certain aspects of OA and Masonic ceremonies is not surprising, since Goodman and Edson were themselves Masons, as were others who had a prominent role at the time in further development of OA ceremonies.

I always hear how masons are christian?
I wonder then if there's any proof in the fact that a christian mason has to break 5 of the 10 commandments to proceed through to the 1st degree initiation. . . Doesn't sound very christian like to me!

I always hear how masons are christian?
I wonder then if there's any proof in the fact that a christian mason has to break 5 of the 10 commandments to proceed through to the 1st degree initiation. . . Doesn't sound very christian like to me!

And which ones would those be?

Quote:

I am the Lord thy God, ... Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Freemasons are taught to worship their own God as their own and no other Brother is forced to worship another's God. Since we have so many men of different faiths we use one name as a generic term. There are two things in the Lodge we are forbidden to talk about: religion and politics.

Quote:

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images.

And we don't. If you are going to say the Square and Compass is a graven image you are reaching.

Quote:

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

And we don't.

Quote:

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

We don't meet on Sundays with exception of the York Rite which holds special meetings for Christmas and Easter observance.

Quote:

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long.

Not sure how this could be done.

Quote:

Thou shalt not kill.

We haven't killed anyone since the 70s.

Quote:

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

We are actually taught to prevent this and not commit adultery.

Quote:

Thou shalt not steal.

We are taught to be good citizens and that includes not breaking the laws.